Amid the gloom and doom, here's a little cheery news

Sunday

Do not refer to your spellcheck or fuss with the editor. This is a wonderfully funny quote from Artemus Ward in 1860.

Another from Artemus: "I'm not a politician, and my other habits are good."

He is the same witty writer that asks, "Did you ever have the measles, and if so, how many?"

You may think this is a bit different way to begin a column on the good news from the literary world, but after filtering through my mailbox brimming with suggestions on what we should talk to you about, I decided you may need a bit of cheering up.

Books rolling off a hot press at this moment include facts about Barack Obama's involvement with Bill Ayres, Actor John Voight comes right out and saying we are all doomed if John McCain and Sarah Palin don't go to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Neal Boortz makes us think twice about the tax transfer system included in his "The Fair Taxing Book," and Newt Gingrich says fire Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson before he does more damage to our economic system.

Well, this Bookworm has heard many good things this week. One headline worth mentioning is "China Is Hungry for Christian Books." And so boatloads are headed that way by some of America's finest Christian writers.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who made a run for the White House, has a new Fox News show, "Huckabee," and after seeing it twice, I wholeheartedly recommend that you take some time and watch the show next Saturday and Sunday night.

There is great news right from the children's book corner. Jungle Jack Hanna has a hardcover book for 6- to 10-year-olds that is brimming with photography of animals and maps that show their habitats. A removable passport come with animal stickers. My prediction is that it will fill many a kid's stocking on Christmas morning.

Now here this! Super Bowl-winning football coach Tony Dungy has a new children's book, "You Can Do It." Even though Dungy is now in Indianapolis with the Colts, he came to Orlando for a signing at the Christian booksellers' annual summer show. This was the first year I have missed this event in 15 years, having gone to Denver, San Francisco, Dallas and other points, and here we were hosts in Florida and I missed it! Well, on to Atlanta next year!

Shadrach, Meshach & ABanToGo is the actual name of a Goodrich, Mich., bookstore that caters to church bookstores and book columnists. After chatting with the people there, I learned they are the busiest on the book block, as they served generous samples of mochas, caramel cappuccinos and white chocolate lattes.

Haven't we seen proof that a good book and a latte go together, as we see so many of you at the library and Richard's Fine Coffees. Keep it up!

We have heard everybody from Teddy Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan quoted by commentators and the candidates. And it is all about leadership. I have gone to my own library shelf and found some of my favorite quotes. From the pages of "A Call for Excellence," words of inspiration come from America's presidents, from George Washington to George W. Bush:

"When written in Chinese, the word 'crisis' is composed of two characters. One represents danger, and the other represents opportunity." - John F. Kennedy

"It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn't." - Martin Van Buren

"Delay is preferable to error." - Thomas Jefferson

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." - Abraham Lincoln

Wise words on leadership also take us to the Bard himself, "Shakespeare on Leadership." His words of wisdom include:

"We are tougher, brother, than you can put us to it." From "The Winter's Tale," Act 1, Scene 2, he was explaining that we must project our strength.

"Confusion's cure lives not in thee confusions." In "Romeo and Juliet," he is simply urging us to step away for a clearer view.

"Madmen have no ears." From "Romeo and Juliet," he says we must beware of those who do not listen.

Good advice comes from the pages of books that we need at this hour of the nation's need.

Velma Daniels is a columnist and book reviewer for the News Chief.

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